Hello everyone! In need of advice regarding my slab foundation. Was asking a group on Facebook whether to repair rotted wood and paint or pull it all off and put up Hardie board. Someone mentioned my foundation looks sketchy and have it checked out. Thoughts? TIA
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I don’t really see a foundation issue there… not to say there isn’t one but presumably the foundation is down at the bottom of the bricks… and a separate issue from the siding rot.
Hello Natasha,
Some questions that might help others answering your question.
Hello, I’m in South Carolina. The house is 43 years old, on a slab foundation. He said bc of the mildew/moisture, I should have it checked out. I had broad pics of the house showing siding and a few up close pics of the rot. He commented on this particular picture. Thank you!
What’s on the other side of the wall?
I also don’t see a foundation issue.
I see RB&B siding that has no flashing between it and the trim board below it.
Water gets in the probable white wood joints and into the trim, rotting it…is one possiblity.
The master bedroom-(the garage was converted to a new master 15+ years ago)
Pull the trim off to replace the rotted boards and before you install new boards, slide this type of flashing behind the upper wood siding. Then re-install the horizontal wood trim board:
Thank you Larry! I appreciate your advice
Unless we are there we can only provide opinions about the foundation question so I will.
First off thank you for the high resolution picture as it helps greatly to see details.
It is not uncommon for what appears to be algae growth on brick when it is constantly exposed to moisture and does not dry quickly. That is what the green staining appears to be. Also because the brick has been run to the soils, or soils have reached the level of the brick, that will contribute to constant moisture in the brick and contribute to the algae growth.
As for the FB foundation comment I do not see what that posters concern was since we can not see the actual foundation nor the construction of the home to see the details of it and the walls construction. Since you are on a slab foundation I am expecting that the brick is a veneer covering only and not a structural support for the wall. This also appears to be the case with what may be a sheathing located behind the siding and trim as seen through the rotted section of trim. Sheathing and a proper water resistive barrier over it would be a typical construction method for a framed wall on a slab foundation.
In your area, at the time of this home’s build, it might have been common to see brick applied against a foundation wall for aesthetic (looks) purposes. A brick ledge to sit the brick on may have been created below that brick. Possibly an Inspector familiar with your area with chime in and let us know. Although it does lead to the algae issue with the bricks in contact with wet soils.
Without seeing more of the home what you are displaying here does not show any foundation issues.
Hello Emmanuel! I will post more pics of the house in a couple hours, before I head to work. I’d love feedback, as not a single contractor has been helpful thus far.
Poor masonry ground clearance.
Damaged rotted wood board and baton siding starter strip union.
1: recommend a licensed masonry contractor improve masonry ground clearance where applicable.
2: Recommend a licensed carpenter repair all damage and rot.
Thank you, kindly for your advice
